One of the Royal Australian Navy's newest patrol boats has been welcomed to Port Lincoln in South Australia with a centuries-old tradition — drawn swords and bayonets shining atop rifles — as the company of HMAS Eyre marched to take freedom of entry into the city.
The ship's navigator, Lieutenant Katie Webb, led the procession in a full-circle moment for her younger self.
The 10-year navy veteran went to school in Port Lincoln and fell in love with being at sea aboard her father's boat from an early age.
A young Katie Webb developed a love of the sea at an early age. (Supplied: Webb family)
She regularly skippered the fishing boat 80 kilometres off Coffin Bay while her dad looked for signs of prized tuna and kingfish.
"I think it was an aquatics camp or something like that where I got my [provisional] boat licence when I was 12 years old," Lieutenant Webb said.
She plotted HMAS Eyre's route to its namesake peninsula on Thursday this week, cruising past her old fishing grounds.
As she steered the ship into Boston Harbour at Port Lincoln on Saturday, her parents Meg and Richard Webb were there to greet her.
Richard and Meg Webb say their daughter's return was an emotional moment. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Jodie Hamilton)
"When we first learned that Katie was going to be navigator on HMAS Eyre and the process of commissioning the ship, we were present when the ship was commissioned in May," her father Richard Webb said.
"To now, seeing the full circle of the ship docking here in Port Lincoln is quite an emotional thing for the whole family."
The 80-metre Arafura patrol ship was built in South Australia, and one of its roles will be working alongside the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to protect against risks to national fish stocks and the marine environment.
The ship is not only named after Eyre Peninsula and explorer Edward John Eyre, but its crew has also adopted the southern bluefin tuna as its logo representing speed, strength, and sustained endurance at sea.
Mayor Diana Mislov granted freedom of entry to HMAS Eyre's Lieutenant Commander Amy Brauns. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Jodie Hamilton)
Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov said the visit was a proud occasion for the regional city.
"Freedom of entry is a significant civic honour and a tradition that reflects the strong relationship between the Royal Australian Navy and our community," Ms Mislov said.
"Opportunities to witness a freedom of entry parade are rare, and it will be a memorable day for our community."
HMAS Eyre commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Amy Brauns said the ceremonial parade was steeped in history.
"It actually dates back to the 1200s where in times of war a unit would march through a city and that city would say, 'you can proceed through with your weapons et cetera and we are granting you the trust and privilege to proceed through there'," Lieutenant Commander Brauns said.
"It a really, really big deal."
Lieutenant Katie Webb led the guard during the freedom of entry procession. (Supplied: Royal Australian Navy Media)
Ms Mislov presented the ornate scroll authorising the freedom of entry to Lieutenant Commander Brauns, and it was marched along Tasman Terrace with the unit armed with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, colours flying, drums beating and band playing.
SA Police Superintendent Phil Johnson halted the procession before the unit presented its scroll, exercising its right of freedom of entry, before continuing on its way to Nautilus Theatre for an official welcome.
Hundreds of people turned out waving navy flags to witness the ceremony and pageantry, including Royal Australian Navy veterans and Whyalla Navy Cadets.
The ceremony involved SA Police Superintendent Phil Johnson halting the procession to challenge the navy. (Supplied: Royal Australian Navy Media)
HMAS Eyre was expected to depart Port Lincoln on Sunday afternoon
"In six to eight weeks we're hoping to deploy off the north-west shelf and provide assistance to the maritime border command," Lieutenant Commander Brauns said.